A Special Appeal

Tiger BuBu

Tiger BuBu was a cute friendly kitten until he grew up and the family didn’t want him anymore. Soon he was packed up and dropped off at a farm in Somerset County, MD. Tiger was able to survive on the food that the farmer put out until one day he was in an accident and broke his leg. The farmer didn’t believe in spending money to “fix” barn cats and left Tiger alone, figuring he’d either get better or would die. The broken leg healed a little, mostly just the splintered bones fused themselves together. Tiger could still get around. Then an infection set in. The infection slowly ate away at the muscles and tissue in the leg until his leg was an open wound that wouldn’t heal.

Although the farmer didn’t want to pay for vet care for his barn cats, when a volunteer from Road Runner Rescue came by to offer spay/neuter surgeries for the barn cats,the farmer agreed. Humane traps were baited and set. Tiger smelled the tempting food and went in for a treat. The trap door shut behind him and a blanket was thrown over his cage. Although Tiger was in immense pain and terrified, his life was about to get better.

He was taken to Rude Ranch’s Spay Spa & Neuter Nook to be neutered. While he was there, the vet looked at his injured leg. Although the leg itself could not be saved, she was able to amputate his leg to save his life. Now the only problem was that he couldn’t go back to the barn to recover. Fortunately, there was room for him at Rude Ranch. Tiger, now called Tiger BuBu felt immediate relief because the infection and pain was gone. He was so grateful that whenever anyone comes near him, he purrs and rolls over.

Donate online:Use your secure Paypal account for a one-time donation of any amount. Just click on the following image:

Xena, Warrior Princess

Xena had been living on her own near a nice lady’s house for almost a year when she got into trouble. Someone other than the nice lady used Xena for target practice and shot her with an arrow.

Scared and hurting Xena went to the only person she knew. Not knowing what else to do, the caring lady called Anne Arundel Animal Control for help. The AC officer carefully picked Xena up and loaded her into the truck. However, Xena needed care quickly and the Animal Control staff vet had already left. Needing a veterinarian quickly, a call was made to Rude Ranch to see if we could help. Fortunately, Dr’s Harrison and Alexander (Belair Veterinary Hospital) were available and able to help Xena. Xena was very lucky that the arrow did not go through any vital organs and was easily removed. Xena is now recuperating at Rude Ranch while AA Animal Control investigates.

Donate online:Use your secure Paypal account for a one-time donation of any amount. Just click on the following image:

Help Storm Get Home…

Derek Hoffman was just a few days old when a small grey kitten named Storm came into his life. From that day forward, the two were inseparable, with Storm often curling up for a nap with Derek. Once doctors realized Derek was autistic, the relationship between him and Storm became even more important as Storm gave Derek the confidence and stability he needed.
One day two years ago, while Derek’s mom Krystal was getting him out to the car, Storm shot out the front door. Krystal wasn’t able to watch Derek and go after Storm immediately and once things settled down, Storm was nowhere to be found.
Krystal and Derek put up signs on every street corner in their neighborhood near Baltimoreâ€™s Inner Harbor. Storm also had a collar with an ID tag and was microchipped. Krystal and Derek hoped that somehow these things would combine to get their beloved Storm back to them. Sadly, Storm was never found, but Krystal and Derek kept looking.

Krystal and Derek moved to Las Vegas last year. However, before she left, Krystal asked her neighbors to please keep looking for Storm, hoping against hope that he would be found.

Two weeks ago, a stray cat was found in Pasadena, a suburb of Baltimore (more than 10 miles from where Krystal and Derek lived in Baltimore) The cat was turned in to the Anne Arundel County Animal Control agency. The intake officer scanned the cat for a microchip, and traced the information from the chip to Krystal. The stray cat was Storm!

Although Krystal and Derek were thrilled to know that Storm was safe and wanted desperately to be reunited with him, they were now almost 2500 miles away! They couldnâ€™t exactly hop in the car to pick him up! Robin Small, director of the Anne Arundel Animal Control agency suggested she contact Rude Ranch Animal Rescue to see if we could help get Storm home.

Rude Ranch Executive Director Bob Rude picked Storm up yesterday, and was purred at and snuggled all the way home. Storm will stay at Rude Ranch while he undergoes the necessary veterinary requirements to certify him to fly in a plane. We are hoping to reunite Storm, Krystal and Derek in Las Vegas in time for Thanksgiving.